UNODC Executive Director Meets Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Pledges UN support for Myanmar's efforts on national reconciliation, anti-corruption, rule of law, HIV prevention and evidence-based drug treatment

Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), 1 December 2012 - In his first ever official visit to Southeast Asia, UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov met today with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Member of Parliament, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Rule of Law and Tranquility, and Nobel laureate, at her residence in Nay Pyi Taw.

Mr. Fedotov congratulated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on her election and recent appointment and pledged UNODC's support and technical expertise in support of Myanmar's reforms - particularly in anti-corruption and in establishing the rule of law, in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and in contributing to the development of peace by providing alternative development support in drug-conflict areas and by promoting dialogue between all parties in the conflict.

After noting Myanmar's efforts to resolve ethnic conflicts and create the peace and stability necessary to create sustainable, licit jobs and markets, and the country's steps to strengthen rule of law institutions, Mr. Fedotov urged the international community to find the courage to act in support of Myanmar's future.

"There is much to be done and, as Daw Suu noted, this difficult time of transition is not the time to be complacent," said Mr. Fedotov. "We must have the courage to sustainably invest in Myanmar's present for the sake of its people's future, or else this future, now shining with so much hope, will not be realized."

"Daw Suu and I agree that clean, effective, trustworthy governance institutions are critical to the sustainable development of peace and security in Myanmar," said Mr. Fedotov. "Without an investment in rule of law institutions, the economic and social development which Myanmar citizens so desperately crave can not easily be achieved. A key step in this process is Myanmar ratifying the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC)."

"Reform is real," said Mr. Fedotov, "and the courage which enabled these reforms needs to be supported. More needs to be done - now - for these changes to be durable."